How To Pick The Right Work Setting For You

What do you want to be when you grow up? It’s a question we have been asked ever since we are little. Maybe you knew from the first time you were asked that question that a career in healthcare was for you, and maybe you just figured out recently that you wanted a future where you could make a difference in people’s lives, but now you need to answer an even bigger question. How do you want to use your new skills and what type of work setting will work best for you? There are so many work settings to choose from in the field of healthcare and sometimes your choices can be overwhelming and you may not know quite were to start. Take a look at these tips to get you started on the path to finding your perfect new career:

1. Location, Location, Location – As you begin looking for your first healthcare position don’t limit yourself to opportunities that are only near your home. Commuting a bit further away to take a position with a well-known or well established clinic or hospital can be a very valuable addition to your resume. Not only will you have a great employer to showcase, but you will also show future employers that you are dedicated to your employer.

2. Shifts and Schedules – One of the greatest things about the healthcare setting is there are shifts and hours to meet every need. Many settings are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Whether you are an early bird or a night owl you can likely find hours to match your needs. However the more flexible you are, the more useful you will be to perspective employers. Shift flexibility is a highly sought after commodity when it comes to working in healthcare, and it looks great on a resume.

Make Connections and Build Experience – From the first day you start your new position you will begin to build your experience and add skillsets to your resume. Take every opportunity you can to not only learn new things, but hone the skills you already have. You can also start to build a great professional network that can help you in the future with things like recommendations as you grow in your career.

Grow Your Skills – Your first position in healthcare is a great time to step out of your comfort zone and grow your skillset. It’s great to have a goal to work in a certain specialty someday, but now is the time to develop your skills and become a valuable asset in any setting. Who knows, you may even discover a new favorite work setting.

What Speaks to YOU? – Do you enjoy working with children? Do you want to make a career of taking care of the elderly? Maybe fighting a certain disease like cancer or diabetes is your calling. There are many opportunities available that will allow you to specialize to a specific patient population. However some of these specialties may require that you have some experience first, so don’t be afraid to take some time to build your resume first and set goals that will help you get into that highly sought after specialty position.

No matter what type of work setting you choose the Allen School of Health Sciences can help you get there. If you are ready to start the path to your new career give us a call today at 877-591-8753 or visit our website at www.allenschool.edu. Our first classes of 2017 are enrolling now and we can’t wait to speak to you about becoming a member of the Allen School family.

December is here and 2016 is almost over. A brand new year will be here soon and with it comes a whole list of resolutions that seem great in theory, but are rarely followed through on. Instead of spending money on a gym membership again this year, make 2017 the year you focus on your career resolutions.Start Small – Set a goal for your next set of classes. Try to get perfect attendance and be in class on time every day. Aim to get test scores that are at least 10% higher than they were in your last classes. Try to make Honor Roll. These are easy goals that will not only help you in your education, but also build better habits for you personally that will help you in your new career. Give yourself a small reward for meeting these goals as an extra bonus. Most people fail in their resolutions because they don’t see immediate rewards or changes and get discouraged.Plan Ahead – Whether you are in your first or your last module, start looking forward to going on internship. Think about the type of work setting you would like to be in. Look at opportunities and job openings near you to see what is available. Take advantage of the Career Services department at the Allen School to start working on your resume and interview skills. The more you plan towards the end result of your resolution, the more motivated you will stay.Dream Big – There is nothing wrong with dreaming big as long as you have a plan to get there. Write down where you see yourself personally and professionally 5 years from now and research the steps needed to get to that goal. Breaking a large goal down into small steps that you can achieve will help keep you motivated and moving forward toward that goal.For example a career goal may be to become an office manager in a large clinic within five years.– Your first step of course is graduating school.– Then you need to have a wonderful internship and build a great support network of other healthcare professionals that can recommend you as you go out into the workforce.– From there you need to start gaining experience in your field through employment and expand your skillset- you may even consider adding to your education.Before you know it that goal that seemed so far away five years ago is ready to be yours. The important thing is break down the steps and celebrate your victories and achievements. This will help keep you motivated and moving toward achieving everything you’ve dreamed of.At the Allen School we want to see all of our students keep their Career Resolutions in 2017. Whether you choose a hands-on career as a Medical Assistant, or enjoy the analytical structure of Medical Insurance Billing and Coding we can help you get started on the path to your dream career. Please visit www.AllenSchool.edu or give us a call at 877-591-8753 to get started today.

So after nine months of school and internship it’s finally time to go out there and get your dream job. You’ve spent hours combing through job openings, you’ve polished your resume to perfection, and you’ve applied for some great jobs. Then that moment comes and you get a call to come in for an interview. Now is NOT the time to panic. Here are a few great tips to help you relax and face your interview like a pro.

Do Your Homework – Look up the name of the company your interview is with and find out as much about them as you can. The more you know in advance the better prepared you will be to not only answer questions, but also ask them. You can also look up company reviews on sites like Glassdoor and get a feel for the culture of the company. If you know in advance what employees say it can help you determine if the company is going to be a good fit for you.

Take a Drive – Or a taxi, bus, or train. In other words drive to the company the night before the interview so you know where you are going and get feel for the area. You can also scope out parking and get an idea of what traffic may be like as you make your daily commute. Knowing where you are going will help make your interview day way less stressful.

Dress For Success – And do it the night before the interview. Make sure your clothes are clean, in good repair, and ironed. If you need to replace anything make sure to do so before interview day. If you had to buy new shoes make sure to wear them before your interview so they are broken in and comfortable. If you’ve been putting off a haircut now is a great time to find some time and get it done.

Practice – Remember your professional development class and all those great interview questions you discussed? Now is the time to re-visit that material and review everything. Write out questions and answers and practice saying them out loud. The more comfortable you are saying your answers, the more natural you will sound.

Catch Some Z’s – The night before your interview get a good night’s sleep, at least 7-8 hours. The better rested you are the less stressed you will feel the next day. Also don’t forget your breakfast. A little food will go a long way to settling your nerves.

While these tips may not calm all of your pre-interview nerves they can definitely help. Remember you have worked very hard to get to this point in your life and you are READY to succeed. All of your hard work over the last several months has brought you to this point.If you are ready to take the first steps towards your new career contact us today. We offer our students a wide array of Career Support Services to help you succeed in your new career. Call us today at 877-591-8753 or visit our website at www.allenschool.edu. Our first classes of 2017 are enrolling now and we can’t wait to speak to you about becoming a member of the Allen School family.

December is here and temperatures are dropping, many places are already seeing rain, sleet, and even snow. It’s the season that often brings on colds and other illnesses that can keep you from work, school, and just feeling 100%. So what can you do to stay happy and healthy as the skies start to turn grey?

Drink Plenty of Water – It can be tempting to grab a nice hot coffee or tea when you’re feeling thirsty in winter to help warm you up, but it’s important to stay hydrated. You need just as much water in winter as any other season, and beverages that contain caffeine like coffee or tea can actually dehydrate you.

Exercise Regularly – Don’t let the cold weather keep you on the couch. Even 15 minutes of exercise a day can help keep you healthy all winter long. A lot of gyms will offer deeply discounted memberships at this time of year, or just get out and take a short walk. No matter what you choose to do the important thing is to keep moving throughout the whole year.

Get Plenty of Sleep – It’s more important than ever to recharge your batteries in the winter. You should try to get between 6 and 8 hours of sleep every night. Your immune system can become weaker if you don’t get enough sleep every night.

Wash Your Hands – This will help keep bacteria and viruses off your hands and therefore away from your mouth and nose. It’s also a good idea to carry a bottle of hand sanitizer with you for when you aren’t able to use soap and water. Prevention is the best way to keep from getting sick.

Dress for the Weather – It’s important to keep warm and dry in cooler weather. Dressing in layers is always a good idea so you can adjust to the temps as they change during the day. And remember a lot of heat can escape from your head, so be sure to wear a hat. Also keep track of those fingers and toes in extreme weather and make sure they stay toasty and dry as well.

Get Your Flu Shot – It’s definitely not anyone’s favorite thing to do, but a flu vaccine can help keep you healthy and going strong all winter long. Many pharmacies and clinics offer them for little or no cost. It’s a small investment for a winter of being flu free.

Here at the Allen School of Health Sciences we know that prevention is one of the most important pieces of living a long and healthy life. We hope you enjoyed our winter tips and use them to have a healthy and fun cold weather season. If you are ready to help other stay healthy and strong please give us a call today at 877-591-8753 or visit our website at www.allenschool.edu. Our first classes of 2017 are enrolling now and we can’t wait to speak to you about becoming a member of the Allen School family.

It can be challenging to decide what path to take when planning your educational future. It is important to consider the time you will be investing in your education, what type of credentials you would like to earn, how soon you would like to begin working and many other factors. Your professional goals can help you determine what type of education will be most beneficial to you as well.Time – Many certificate programs last less than a year and can often be completed in roughly nine months. If your ultimate goal is to complete your education as quickly as possible this may be a better choice for you. A degree program can take anywhere from 18 months to several years depending on the degree type you pursue.Cost – A certificate program is often a more economical choice over a degree program. Due to the shorter duration of classes, the tuition is often far less than a degree program. It is important to consider potential career income to school cost ratio when choosing your education path as well. In both cases a properly accredited certificate or degree program will likely be able to offer you tuition assistance and financial aid options to help you afford school.Internship Opportunity – Certificate programs tend to be more career-focused. Many cut out the general education courses that can be seen as unrelated to the field of study. These general education classes are sometimes added to Degree programs in order to achieve the minimum required credits/hours for a Degree.. Degree programs are often more theory based and focus more on content and information rather than real-world practice.Certifications and Earning Potential – Whenever you consider your education it is important to keep your ultimate career goals in mind. It is important to research what certifications you can sit for based on your education. Medical and Nursing Assistants are generally able to earn the same licensure or certification regardless of what type of educational path they pursue, which in turn often qualifies them similar employment opportunities. Medical Insurance Billers and Coders may choose to expand on their initial certificate and earn a degree to allow them to sit for more advanced certifications that may expand their career opportunities.Regardless of the type of education you choose remember that the first step to a brighter future is to get started! The Allen School of Health Sciences has provided thousands of students just like you with the education you need to get ahead for over 55 years. If you are ready to give yourself the gift of education this holiday season please contact us today. Classes are enrolling now for the New Year.Call us today to get started. Call 877-591-8753 or visit our website at www.allenschool.edu.

What’s On YOUR Wish List? The holidays are here and it’s time to think about your holiday Wish List. Here are our top 5 gifts you need to give to yourself this holiday season!# 5 – Time: Earn your certificate now and have the potential to graduate prior to many other students, so you can beat the competition to potential job openings. Many schools do not have accelerated programs and they take 1-2 years to complete. This can delay your ability to gain the necessary skills to become employable as soon as possible!# 4 – Opportunity: Healthcare is STRONGER than EVER! According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in the Medical Assistant expected to grow 23% from 2014 to 2024. If you start your training now and complete your certificate, you will gain both the skills and experience necessary to be a valuable asset to many types of employers.# 3 – Satisfaction: New Year-New Career! Starting your program means your expected graduation date COULD BE September 2017. Don’t push off your new career any longer, and be ready for job interviews before you know it.# 2 – A New Beginning: If we wait for the ‘perfect’ time, a better time, later, we will be waiting forever. The truth is; if you keep waiting you are going to run out of time. Take a close look at what it is you are waiting for and find a way around it. Act now or risk missing your chance. You need to ask yourself the real reason you keep putting off change????# 1- A Bright Future: Thinking about a new job or making better income can make you feel good at the time, but without action the knowledge itself is useless and it will never lead you to a better way of life. You can “think about it” and “talk it over with everyone you know,” but without actually helping yourself you are always going to be in the same place. It may take some tough decisions, but your situation will continue to be exactly the same unless you act to change it. Let’s start that change today!!!!So what are you waiting for? Our Healthcare classes are enrolling now at all locations! Our classes are kept small and taught by highly qualified professionals to help give you the skills you need to be successful as a healthcare professional. The Allen School of Health Sciences has over 55 years of experience in helping students just like YOU reach their personal and professional goals.Please visit our website at https://www.allenschool.edu/or give us a call 877-591-8753.

The holiday season is just around the corner and it can be easy to let school slip to the back burner if you are not careful. Between family get-togethers, shopping for that perfect gift, and putting up decorations, you may find your homework and study time slipping away. Let’s take a look at some tips to help you balance your holiday cheer with your future career.

Check Your School Schedule – The Allen School knows the value of family and spending quality time with your loved ones and we strive to give you plenty of time to spend the holidays with your friends and family. Be sure to know your days off and plan family events accordingly. This may mean you need to wait an extra day to join the festivities or come back home a little early, but it is a small price to pay knowing that you can be in a great new career at this time next year.

2. Check Your Budget – The children in your life probably have a wish list that is a mile long and it can be tempting to pick up extra shifts or even a second job to give them everything they want. Before you do though, write out a daily schedule of how work, home, and school are fitting into your life now. If you have to give up study time or a good night’s sleep to pick up extra income you should think again. Remember school will be over before you know it and you will likely be in a whole new position at this time next year.

Be a Guest, Not a Host – Even if holidays are traditionally celebrated at your house, now is a great time to start a new tradition of sharing the host responsibilities. You can still help on the day of the event and bring a dish or two to pass. If you do have the family over do not be shy about asking for help. You will be surprised who is willing to help you clean house and join in the prep duties in the kitchen.

Keep in Touch – If you simply must miss a day of school let your instructor know well ahead of time. They can help you plan what material will be covered while you are gone and also if you are going to miss any assignments, quizzes, or skill evaluations. You can also speak to the Student Services department and create a plan for making up your time when you get back. Remember the first step to being successful is being in class.

Don’t Forget to Study – Use your holiday travel time to do some reading and take a few quiet moments at the end of a busy day of cheer to review your materials for when you go back to class. You can even put your material on flashcards and turn it into a game so your family can help you and see how far you have come in your studies. Who knows, you may even inspire someone to better their lives just like you are.

From the Allen School Family to you we hope you have a very enjoyable holiday season. Enjoy your time with family and friends, and treasure the gift of education you are giving yourself. If any of your family and friends are ready to change their lives and start classes at the Allen School please have them visit our website at www.allenschool.edu or give us a call at 877-591-8753.

Resume Building – Volunteer positions can play a vital role in building your resume as you begin your new career. Not only will it help build your experience in the field, it will also show potential employers that you are dedicated to being truly successful as you start looking for a new position. If you have never had any job in the field of healthcare, volunteering is a great way to pick up some experience.

Create Connections – Volunteering will help you meet other people already working in the field of healthcare. They may know of open positions you can apply for or have sound advice that will help you get an advantage over other potential job candidates. They can also be a valuable resource for work references as you start to fill out job applications.

Find Your Passion – Volunteering in many different settings and patient populations will help you determine what type of work you may want to do in the future. Who knows you may have always felt drawn to pediatrics, but after volunteering in a geriatric unit you may realize that your true calling is working with the elderly.

Push Your Limits – While we strive to create as life-like a setting as possible in the classroom, nothing beats real-life experiences. When you volunteer with real patients who truly need your help you will realize that some things can only be learned by doing. You will build your skills and also build your character as a person and a healthcare provider.

Volunteering is Rewarding – No matter what setting you choose to volunteer in you can be proud of yourself and your work. Not only will you be a better person, but you will be making life better for those around you as well. Even a simple act of kindness on your part can be enough to change someone’s whole day.

So what are you waiting for? There are a variety of settings looking for volunteers just like you. Many hospitals are looking for help with things like patient transport, child enrichment activities, and patient support. Retirement communities often need volunteers to help with resident activities that can include a wide variety of ways for you to help. If you prefer something more flexible look at events like walks or runs, fund raisers, and community fairs. For more ideas on places you can volunteer please contact your student services advisor.

5 Ways You Can Stand Apart From the Medical Assistant Crowd Everyone knows that an employer is looking for the very best candidates for their open positions. You have already taken the first step to becoming that candidate by choosing to take classes with the Allen School of Health Sciences, but what else can you do to stand out and land your dream job?

Grades and Attendance – This is an easy one. By getting good grades you show that you have the knowledge needed to be a successful Medical Assistant. Getting perfect attendance demonstrates to your employer that you are dedicated and will mostly likely continue this trend as you begin your new career. Perfect attendance while you attend your internship will be even more impressive to your potential new employer.

Get A Healthcare-Related Job – There are many positions available in the healthcare setting that you can secure during school to help you get a leg-up on the competition. You can work in the nutrition department, as a receptionist or unit secretary, or even in patient transport. Check your local hospitals and healthcare facilities to see what is available to you. This will not only get you started in healthcare, but may also offer you the opportunity to make professional connections with other healthcare providers that you can use to help secure your first position as a Medical Assistant.

Volunteer – Many healthcare facilities have multiple opportunities available for volunteers. In some cases you can even choose to volunteer in a specific unit like pediatrics or oncology. Volunteering will not only give you the chance to gain experience in a healthcare setting, but it will also show your dedication to your future employer, while building your resume at the same time.

Get Certified – Nothing shows your understanding of your chosen field more than obtaining your certification. Not only will this set you above the crowd, but it will also show a potential employer that you are dedicated to the field and will make a good long term prospect for their position.

Always say “Yes” – Whether it’s during your time in class or out on your internship site take every opportunity you can to add to your skillset. If you are ever asked to step beyond what you have learned in class and try something new be sure to seize the opportunity and make yourself a stronger future candidate for any positions that come along. Even the smallest bit of experience could be all it takes to get you a job offer over another candidate.

The Allen School is dedicated to helping our students live their dreams of a career in the field of healthcare. Whether you choose a hands-on career as a Medical Assistant, or enjoy the analytical structure of Medical Insurance Billing and Coding we can help you get started on the path to your dream career. Our final classes of 2016 are enrolling now for all programs. Please visit www.AllenSchool.edu or give us a call at 877-591-8753 to get started today.

A Day In The Life of a Medical Insurance Billing and Coding SpecialistIf you have decided to pursue a career as a Medical Insurance Billing and Coding Specialist you will have many opportunities available to you. You may decide to work in a small practice with a small group of providers. You could also work in a specialty practice and play a part in making a difference for someone battling diseases like cancer or chronic illnesses like asthma or diabetes. You may even choose to work in a large setting like a hospital. Whether you choose to specialize in one specific thing or multi task across a variety of patient types, your day is sure to be rewarding and fast paced.Some of the responsibilities you may encounter during your work day include: posting insurance payments, working denials, working AR reports, collections, coding and auditing physicians charts, entering daily charges, posting payments received, transmitting electronic claims to a clearinghouse, answering patients questions regarding bills, verifying insurance coverage, entering patient demographics, obtaining referrals and pre-certification, answering phones, submitting the claims, internal auditing, and many other tasks.You could also specialize in one specific area such as Medicare, Medicaid, or a private insurance company and do the coding and submitting of claims. You can work for the third party payer directly processing the claims.If you are a highly organized individual who enjoys attention to detail, this is the career for you. The Allen School of Health Sciences is ready to help you achieve you career goals. Give us a call today at 877-591-8753 or visit our website at www.allenschool.edu

Allen School is licensed by the Arizona State Board for Private and postsecondary Education, the New York State Department of Education and nationally accredited by the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education. For more information about graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed the program, and other important information, please click here.

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